James Richard "Jim" Parish , age 73 of Elwood, passed away on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 at Ascension - St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood following an extended illness.  He was born April 4, 1951 in Elwood, the son of Richard and Clara (Long) Parish.  Jim attended Wendell L. Willkie High School.  He joined the Army National Guard in 1970 and served until 1977.  Jim retired from the maintenance department at Elwood Community High School in 2016 after 15 years of devoted service.  Prior to that, Jim worked for 30 years for Bob Green Construction as a siding installer.  Jim married Tina Thomas on Nov. 10, 2004, and they shared over 20 years of marriage together.  He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, being at the lake, and running his dogs.  Jim was a man who enjoyed simple, fun aspects of life; but there was nothing he loved more than simply being "Pap" to his grandchildren.  He supported each and every grandchild in all of their activities.  Jim will be remembered as a devoted and supportive husband, father, and grandfather.

Jim's family includes wife, Tina Parish of Elwood; father, Richard Parish of Elwood; 2 daughters, Daphne (Chris) Noone of Elwood and Dawn (Blair) Dunn of Tipton; 2 step-children, Nick (Whitney) Gasparino of Elwood and Lisa Johnson of Muncie; sister, Connie (Bob) Hoffman of Elwood; 11 grandchildren, Jessie (Sammy) Mireles, Taylor (Grant) Sailors, Darci Dunn, Wyatt Dunn, Arden Dunn, Landon Gasparino, Alynzia Gasparino, Kaidryn Gasparino, Amarie Johnson, Hayley Johnson, and Jaylen Johnson; 2 great-grandchildren, Emmitt Mireles and Rocco Mireles; and several nieces and nephews.  Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Clara Parish.

A funeral service celebrating Jim's life will be conducted at 6:00 pm on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Brad Moore officiating.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 6 pm prior to the funeral service at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Elwood Athletic Department through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.